Composer

:

Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov

Genre

:

Opera

Style

:

Opera

Compose Date

:

1897

Publication Date

:

1898

First Performance

:

Nov 25, 1898

Average_duration

:

40:56

"Mozart and Salieri" is an opera composed by Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov in 1897. The plot is based on a short play by Alexander Pushkin, which tells the story of the supposed rivalry between Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Antonio Salieri. The opera is a one-act work, with a running time of approximately 50 minutes. The opera premiered on December 7, 1898, at the Mariinsky Theatre in St. Petersburg, Russia. It was conducted by Felix Blumenfeld and featured the baritone Vladimir Sobinov as Salieri and the tenor Leonid Sobinov as Mozart. The opera is divided into three movements. The first movement, titled "Introduction and Scene," sets the stage for the drama to come. Salieri, a successful composer, is consumed with jealousy over Mozart's talent and success. He decides to poison Mozart, but is tormented by guilt and ultimately confesses his crime. The second movement, titled "Mozart's Aria," features a solo by Mozart in which he reflects on his own mortality and the fleeting nature of artistic success. The aria is a haunting and melancholy piece, and is considered one of the highlights of the opera. The final movement, titled "Scene and Finale," features a confrontation between Mozart and Salieri. Salieri confesses his crime and begs for forgiveness, but Mozart refuses to grant it. The opera ends with Salieri's anguished cry of "I am guilty!" "Mozart and Salieri" is characterized by Rimsky-Korsakov's lush orchestration and skillful use of vocal and instrumental textures. The opera is also notable for its psychological depth and exploration of themes such as jealousy, guilt, and artistic ambition. Overall, "Mozart and Salieri" is a powerful and emotionally charged work that showcases Rimsky-Korsakov's talents as a composer and his ability to bring Pushkin's story to life on the operatic stage.

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